Vehicular traffic signal



April 19, 1938. c. F. DAVIS vHlcuLAR TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed Feb. 28, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 19, 1938. c. F. DAVIS.

I VEHICULAR TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed Feb. 28, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I miento? April 19, 1938. I c. F. DAvls 2,114,914

VEHICULAR' TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed Feb.` 28, 1935 4- Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Apr. 19, 1938 VEHICULAR TRAFFIC SIGNAL Charles Francis Davis, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application February 28, 1935, Serial No. 8,734

3 Claims.

This invention relates to vehicular traiic signals and the object of the invention is to provide an e'icient signal adapted to be mounted on an automobile for indicating the intention of the operator to make either` a right or left hand turn or to stop.

A further object oi the invention is to provide a signal of this character which will obviate the necessity of making hand signals as is now com- 1Q monly resorted to.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be best understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

l5, Figure 1 is an elevational View of the signal in retracted position, with certain parts of the signal shown in section.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 with the signal extended to indicate a left hand turn.

'., Figures 3, 10, and 11 are detail views taken sub- V3() structure.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of a pivot pin.

Figure 9 is a plan View of a solenoid.

Figure l2 is a detail view in transverse section taken on the line I2-I2 of Figure 3, and

i Figure 13 is a wiring diagram of a circuit for the solenoid.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals it will be seen that the signal comprises a handle consisting of a tubular shank or rod I gthreaded into the iron core 2 of a hand grip 3.

Mounted as at 4 within the shank I is a guide `tube 5in which operates a rod 6 provided on one end with a disk-like core I of a solenoid the winding or field 8 of which is Wrapped about the core 2 of the han-d grip as shown. Pivotally connected with the free end of the rod 6 are the cross links 9a of a signal arm which is in the form of a lazy tongs structure and indicated generally by the reference numeral 9. One set of end links 9b of 50 the signal arm are pivoted within slots formed Vin the free ends oi the shank I while the other set of end links 9c are pivoted at one end to a cover plate I5 provided for the open side of a housing or casing II secured to the shank I by 55 lugs I2 on the latter and pins I2a passing through said lugs, said casing normally housing the signal arm 9. As shown in Figure 1 when the arm 9 is in contracted condition the same is housed within the casing Il closed by the cover plate Il! and thus protected from the elements. 5

Mounted on the arm 9 at the pivotal connection between the several links of the arm are electric light bulbs which are arranged in series with the winding of solenoid 8 and the switch I3 and adapted to be vconnected to a source of 10 electrical sup-ply such as a battery or the like to the end that when the switch I3 is operated the winding of the solenoid 8 is simultaneously energized with the electric light. The coil spring I5 disposed about the rod 6 and connected to the 16 lazy tongs and the supports normally urge the lazy tongs in their retracted position, the lazy tongs being forced outwardly upon energization of the winding of the solenoid, through the medium of the core 'l which is moved therein. o

From the above description, it will be apparent that when the switch I3 is actuated, the winding of the solenoid is simultaneously energized with the electric light bulbs, forcing the arm 9 outwardly to project to the extended position shown 25 in Figure 2 against the action of spring I5 for giving the desired signal. Upon the opening of the switch I3 the winding of the solenoid is deenergized, the spring I5 returning the lazy tongs to their normal inoperative position. 30

For mounting the arm on a post or other suitable part I1 of the automobile, there is provided a mounting plate I 8 that is secured by screws or other fastening means I9 to the post or similar support Il. At its center the plate I8 is provided 35 with an opening 20 to accommodate the cylindrical part of a pivot pin 2| the base of which is accommodated in a counter bore or recess in the under face of the plate I3 as suggested in Figure 3.

On its top face the plate I8 is provided with 40 a longitudinal groove 22 and diagonal grooves 23, and cooperable with the plate I8 for holding the signal arm at the desired angular signal indicating position there is provided a disk 2!! formed on its underside with a rib 25 adapted to seat in 45 a selected groove 22 or 23 as suggested in Figure 3.

On the top side thereof, the disk 24 is provided with a formation 2B that is accommodated within the shank I and is longitudinally bored to accommodate the guide tube 5. The formation 26 is also provided with a square transverse bore to receive the squared portion of the pin 2I as shown in Figure 3.

'I'he disk 24 is normally urged against the plate 55 I8 through the medium of a coil spring 2l accommodated Within an opening provided in the shank I and disposed between the formation 26 and the head of a tension adjusting screw 28 threadedly engaged with the pivot pin 2|. To indicate a left turn the rib 25 of the disk is engaged with the groove 22 so that the signal extends straight out from the side of the automobile. To indicate, for example, a right hand turn the hand grip 3 is first grasped in the hand and the device as a unit is moved laterally away from the plate I8 sufciently far enough so that the rib 25 clears the groove. The signal is then rotated in a clockwise direction to place the rib 25 in engagement with the groove 23. 'I'he angular position of the signal will then' indicate that a stopl is to be made. To indicate, for example, a right turn, the operation is substantially the same, the rib 25 engaging the groove 23 to secure the signal in the desired signal indicating position subsequent to a rotation of the signal in a counterclockwise direction.

It will be understood of course, that when the signal arm 9 is extended, the circuit will be completed through the lamps I2 for illuminating the arm, and when the arm is in a retracted position, the circuit through the lamps Will be interrupted.

When it is desired to lock the arm 9 in either projected or retracted position, a locking screw 28 threaded through the shank I and extending through the guide tube 5 is screwed into engagement with the rod E to secure the latter against longitudinal movement.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. An automobile signalling device for use with a battery and for mounting on said automobile within view of persons on the outside thereof, said device comprising a support, a shank member pivotally mounted on said support for manipulation about a. horizontal axis into different selected positions and bodily movable axially of the pivot thereof in opposite directions, respectively, co-engaging devices on said shank and support, respectively, interlocking to establish different positions of the shank and engaged and disengaged by movement of said shank in oppositer directions, respectively, a hand-grip extending from one end of the shank for manipulation thereof, a lazy tong pivoted at one end on the other end of said shank for extension and retraction in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of said shank, said lazy tong including pivotally connected links, signalling lights at the pivotal points of connection of said links and connected in circuit With said battery, a control element on said hand-grip, and means to extend and retract said lazy tong under control of said element.

2. An automobile signalling device for mounting on said automobile within View of persons on the outside thereof, said device comprising a support, a shank member pivotally mounted on said support for manipulation about a horizontal axis into different selected positions and bodily movable axially of the pivot thereof in opposite directions, respectively, co-engaging devices on said shank and support, respectively, interlocking to establish different positions of the shank and engaged andrdisengaged by movement bodily of said shank in opposite directions, respectively, a hand-grip extending from` one end of the shank for manipulation` thereof, a lazy tong pivotally mounted at one end on the other end of said shank for extension and retraction in a plane passing through the` longitudinal axis of the shank, said lazy tongs including links pivotally connected together at their ends and also centrally thereof, signalling lights at the pivotal points of connection of said links, and means to extend and retract said lazy tongs at will in the different positions of said shank and including a source of electrical energy, a switch on said handV grip, a solenoid in said hand grip connected invcircuit with said source and under control of said switch, and a core member extending from said hand grip and through said shank and pivotally connected the outside thereof, said device comprising a support, a shank member pivotally mounted on said support 'for manipulation about a horizontal axis into different selected positions and bodily movable axially of the pivot thereof in opposite Y directions, respectively, :Jo-engaging devices on said shank and support, respectively, interlocking` to establish the different positions of the shank and engaged and disengaged by movement bodily of said shank in opposite directions, respectively, a hand-grip extending from one end of the shank for manipulation thereof, a lazy tong pivoted at one end on the other end of said shank member for extension and retraction in a plane passing through the longitudinal axis of said shank, said lazy tongs including links pivotally connected together at their ends and also centrally thereof, means to extend and retract said lazy tongs at will in thediiferent positions of said shank and including a source of electrical energy, a switch on said hand-grip, a solenoid in the hand-grip connected in circuit with said source andV under control of said switch, a core member extending from said hand grip and Vthrough said shank and pivotally connected to one of the central pivotal points of connection of said links, to retract said tongs, and spring means for tensioning said lazy tongs against operation. by said core, said lazy tongs being provided at the pivotal points of connection of the links thereof with v signalling lights connected in circuit With said 

